Women&#39;s undergarment with security pockets

ABSTRACT

A woman&#39;s undergarment with a security pocket placed below the waist band of the garment in the area below the navel. An undergarment with a security pocket adapted to hold a passport, with another pocket within the main pocket adapted to hold credit cards. An undergarment with a security pocket adapted to hold a credit card. An undergarment with a removable security pocket, which can be used with one or more other undergarments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention related generally to the field of undergarments,and more specifically to a woman's undergarment with security pockets.

2. Description of Related Art

All too often it is difficult for women to safeguard their purses orshoulder bags, especially when traveling in high crime areas in whichtourists are targeted. In addition, credit cards are frequently carriedwhich, if stolen, may involve more loss in today's electronic world thanthe theft of cash. Although men certainly face risks with regard totheft, women may be targeted because of their greater likelihood ofcarrying a purse, which can be “snatched”, and also because typicallywomen are not as physically strong as men and may be less able to fendoff a thief.

In today's security conscious travel environment, however, a passportmay be needed during one's daily travel outing as identification. Thetheft of a passport may render one unable to prove one's identity andnationality, with much greater inconvenience and repercussion thanperhaps would have occurred in earlier times. In order to balance theneed for the carrying of a passport and credit cards with the risk oftheft and the inconvenience of their loss, a need may develop for a moresecure, or hidden, method of carrying these items.

Pouch or purse-type article holders have been provided in the prior artfor wearing on various parts of the body, such as the wrist, ankle, orthigh.. These holders have been limited in where the purse can be worn.Obviously, if it is not covered by clothing, its advantage will havebeen lost. Thus, the types of fashion that can be used with such itemsis restricted.

Some travelers may utilize a pair of pants with an inner pocket, withthe hope that a pickpocket will not be able to penetrate into the innerpocket. While this approach may have benefit, it again restricts theuser to limited items of clothing to wear while traveling. Anotheroption may be a money belt, which is a separate belt worn under theouter clothes with a pouch or purse attached. A drawback of thisapproach is that many of today's fashions, especially summer fashions,involve a bare midriff, which may make it difficult if not impossible tohide the inner belt portion of the money belt. In addition, the sheer ortight nature of some fashions may make the inner belt, if worn below thebelt line of the outwear, visible to observers, thus negating thestealth aspect of such a device. Further, such an item can beuncomfortable, may move around, and typically has a dangling elasticband.

What is called for is a system for the secure carrying and hiding ofimportant items like a passport and credit cards that can be used with avariety of fashions.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A woman's undergarment with a security pocket placed below the waistband of the garment in the area below the navel. An undergarment with asecurity pocket adapted to hold a passport, with another pocket withinthe main pocket adapted to hold credit cards. An undergarment with asecurity pocket adapted to hold a credit card. An undergarment with aremovable security pocket which can be used with one or more otherundergarments or carried separately.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sketch of a woman's undergarment with a security pocketaccording to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sketch of a woman's undergarment with a detachable securitypocket according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view sketch of a woman's undergarment with a securitypocket illustrating an inner pocket according to some embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a sketch of a detachable security pocket with an inner pocketaccording to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sketch of a women's bikini style undergarment with adetachable security pocket according to some embodiments of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an undergarment 100 according to some embodiments ofthe present invention. A body portion 101 of the undergarment 100 isadapted to be worn predominantly below the waist of the wearer. The bodyportion 101 is adapted to be worn around the trunk, with a torso opening103 defining the upper boundary 108 of the undergarment 100. The upperboundary 108 typically will have an elastic material around itscircumference to help secure the undergarment in a proper andcomfortable position when worn. A first leg opening 104 and a second legopening 105 are adapted to go around the upper area of the legs of thewearer when worn. The body portion 101 may be constructed from a varietyof appropriate material and fabrics.

A pocket 102 is attached to the body portion 101 of the undergarment100. In some embodiments, the pocket is substantially rectangular, witha greater width than height. The pocket 102 has an opening 106 acrossits top. The sides and bottom of the pocket 102 are attached to thefront of the body portion 101. A pocket sealing portion 107 seals theopening 106 in an easily opened and reclosed fashion such that materialsplaced within the pocket 102 are restricted from leaving the pocket whenthe pocket sealing portion 107 has sealed the pocket 102. In someembodiments, the pocket sealing portion 107 is a line of hook and loopfasteners. In some embodiments, the pocket sealing portion 107 is azipper. The opening 106 of the pocket 102 is adjacent to andsubstantially parallel to the waistband defined by the upper boundary108 of the body portion 101. In some embodiments, the pocket 102 willutilize a front piece to construct the pocket while utilizing the frontof the main body portion 101 as the back surface of the pocket.

The use of a pocketed undergarment according to embodiments of thisinvention allows a female wearer to secure and conceal valuable items,such as a passport and a credit card, into a secure pocket of the wornclothing while greatly reducing the risk associate with pickpockets,which may access pockets of the outer garments. As opposed to an innerpocket in an outer garment, the undergarment with a security pocketallows for continuity of advantage if the wearer decided to change fromlong pants to short pants during the course of the warming of the day.Also, this advantage is realized without any telltale belts showingthrough the rear of the clothing, which may alert a thief to lookfurther than the wearer's outer garments or purse or handbag. Theundergarment with the security pocket allows the wearer to carry apassport, and credit cards or cash, which may be necessary in someenvironments, with reduced risk of theft. In addition, items can beremoved from this pocket discreetly by the wearer swinging her handbagin front of her waist, a manner often used to retrieve items from thehandbag, but instead discreetly reaching just inside her waistband toremove an item from the undergarment with the security pocket.

FIG. 2 illustrates an undergarment 200 with a removable pocket 202according to some embodiments of the present invention. A body portion210 of the undergarment 200 is adapted to be worn predominantly belowthe waist of the wearer. The body portion 210 is adapted to be wornaround the trunk, with a torso opening 203 defining the upper boundaryof the undergarment 200. The upper boundary typically will have anelastic material around its circumference to help secure theundergarment in a proper and comfortable position when worn. A first legopening 204 and a second leg opening 205 are adapted to go around theupper area of the legs of the wearer when worn. The body portion 210 maybe constructed from a variety of appropriate material and fabrics.

A removable pocket 202 is adapted to be attached to, and removed from,the body portion 210 of the undergarment 200. The removable pocket 202may be defined by a front and rear panel, which are continuous, or sewntogether, along a bottom edge and along the two side edges. Theremovable pocket 202 has an opening 206 approximately along it top edge.The opening 206 may be sealed with a pocket sealing portion 209. In someembodiments, the pocket sealing portion 209 is a line of hook and loopfasteners. In some embodiments, the pocket sealing portion 209 is azipper.

The removable pocket 202 is adapted to be attached to the main body 210of the undergarment 200 along the front center of the main body 210 ator just below the upper boundary of the main body 210, as seen in dashedoutline 207. The upper edge of the removable pocket 202 is substantiallyparallel to the upper boundary of the main body 210 when attached insome embodiments. An attachment portion 208 is adapted for theattachment of the removable pocket 202 to the undergarment 200. In someembodiments, the attachment portion will be hook and loop fasteners. Insome embodiments, the removable pocket 202 may be attached with buttonsnaps. The placement of a button snap at each upper corner of theremovable pocket 202 and the placement of the mating snap pieces intothe main body 210 of the undergarment 200 will allow for the snapping inand out of the removable pocket 202 from the main body 210. Snaps may beswaged into an already made undergarment, allowing the easy retrofit ofthe garment to be used with the security pocket. Additionally, thismethod may allow a user to adapt a number of undergarments to be usedwith a single removable pocket, which may be very advantageous on amulti-day excursion. In some embodiments, the attachment portion may bebuttons. The buttons may be used in a similar fashion as the snaps asdescribed above.

FIG. 3 illustrates the geometry of the security pocket according to someembodiments of the present invention. A main pocket 302 is seen on thefront of the main body 301. The main pocket 302 is substantiallyrectangular. The main pocket 302 has an opening 307 along its topsurface. The top surface of the main pocket 302 is substantiallyparallel to the waist band of the main body 301. The side edges 304 ofthe main pocket and the bottom edge 303 of the main pocket 302 allow forthe relatively snug insertion of a passport. This pocket size has as aninterior dimension approximately 5 inches horizontally by 3.5 inchesvertically. The pocket is substantially centered across the front of themain body 301.

An inner pocket 308 is seen in hidden line format. The inner pocket isadapted for the snug holding of a credit card or similar sized item. Insome embodiments, the inner pocket 308 is within the main pocket 302 andhas an opening facing upwards toward the top of the main pocket 302. Theinner pocket may be substantially rectangular with an interior dimensionof approximately 3.5 inches by 2.25 inches.

FIG. 4 illustrates a removable pocket 400 according to some embodimentsof the present invention. The main pocket 401 has an opening 403 intowhich items may be placed. In some embodiments, the main pocket 401 issized to snugly hold a passport. Within the opening 403 of the mainpocket 401 is seen the inner pocket 404. The relative size of the innerpocket 404 is seen in outline 407. An opening 405 allows access to theinner pocket 404 within the opening 403 of the main pocket 401. A pocketsealing portion 406 is adapted to seal the opening 403 of the mainpocket 401, and, in turn, seal the opening 405 of the inner pocket 404from the region outside the main pocket 401. In some embodiments, thepocket sealing portion 406 may be a zipper. In some embodiments, theinner pocket 404 may also have its own sealing portion. In someembodiments, the pocket sealing portion may be hook and loop fasteners.An attachment portion 402 is seen at the upper rear surface of thepocket 400. This may half of a hook and loop fastener device, with themating half attached to the front upper area of the main body of theundergarment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a bikini style undergarment 500 with a pocket 502according to some embodiments of the present invention. In someembodiments, the pocket 502 is a removable pocket. A body portion 510 ofthe undergarment 500 is adapted to be worn predominantly below the waistof the wearer. The body portion 510 is adapted to be worn around thetrunk, with a torso opening 503 defining the upper boundary of theundergarment 500. The upper boundary typically will have an elasticmaterial around its circumference to help secure the undergarment in aproper and comfortable position when worn. A first leg opening 504 and asecond leg opening 505 are adapted to go around the upper area of thelegs of the wearer when worn. The body portion 510 may be constructedfrom a variety of appropriate material and fabrics.

In the case of bikini style underwear for women, the size of the frontpanel of the undergarment may be quite small. In such a case, there maynot be enough space for a pocket adapted to carry a passport. In such acase, a pocket adapted for a credit card may be appropriate. Folded cashmay also be carried in a pocket of this size. In some embodiments, thepocket 502 is adapted to be attached to, and removed from, the bodyportion 510 of the undergarment 500. The removable pocket may be definedby a front and rear panel, which are continuous, or sewn together, alonga bottom edge and along the two side edges. The pocket 502 has anopening 506 approximately along it top edge. The opening 506 may besealed with a pocket sealing portion. In some embodiments, the pocketsealing portion is a line of hook and loop fasteners. In someembodiments, the pocket sealing portion is a zipper.

The removable pocket is adapted to be attached to the main body 510 ofthe undergarment 500 along the front center of the main body 510 at orjust below the upper boundary of the main body 510. The upper edge ofthe removable pocket is substantially parallel to the upper boundary ofthe main body 510 when attached in some embodiments. An attachmentportion is adapted for the attachment of the removable pocket to theundergarment. In some embodiments, the attachment portion will be hookand loop fasteners. In some embodiments, the removable pocket may beattached with button snaps. The placement of a button snap at each uppercorner of the removable pocket and the placement of the mating snappieces into the main body 510 of the undergarment 500 will allow for thesnapping in and out of the removable pocket from the main body 510.Snaps may be swaged into an already made undergarment, allowing the easyretrofit of the garment to be used with the security pocket.Additionally, this method may allow a user to adapt a number ofundergarments to be used with a single removable pocket, which may bevery advantageous on a multi-day excursion. In some embodiments, theattachment portion may be buttons. The buttons may be used in a similarfashion as the snaps as described above.

As evident from the above description, a wide variety of embodiments maybe configured from the description given herein and additionaladvantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in theart. The invention in its broader aspects is, therefore, not limited tothe specific details, representative apparatus and illustrative examplesshown and described. Accordingly, departures from such details may bemade without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant'sgeneral invention.

1. An undergarment comprising: a body portion to be worn about the trunkpredominantly below the waist of the wearer; said body portion having anelastic material defining its waistband; a pocket attached to said bodyportion, said pocket comprising; a front panel as its front boundary,and said body portion as its rear boundary, wherein said front panel isattached to said body portion along two sides of said front panel andalong the bottom of said front panel, and wherein said front panel isattached to the front of said body portion, said front panel sidesextend upwards adjacent to the waistband of said body portion; and apocket sealing portion, said pocket sealing portion adapted to seal thetop of said pocket.
 2. The undergarment of claim 1 wherein said pocketcomprises a second, inner pocket within said pocket.
 3. The undergarmentof claim 1 wherein said pocket is adapted to snugly hold a passportsized document and wherein said pocket has a horizontal interiordimension of approximately 5 inches and a vertical interior dimension ofapproximately 3.5 inches.
 4. (canceled)
 5. The undergarment of claim 2wherein said pocket has a horizontal interior dimension of approximately5 inches and a vertical interior dimension of approximately 3.5 inches.6. The undergarment of claim 5 wherein said inner pocket is adapted tohold a credit card, and wherein said inner pocket has an interiordimension of approximately 3.5 inches by 2.25 inches.
 7. (canceled) 8.The undergarment of claim 2 wherein said pocket sealing portioncomprises hook and loop fasteners.
 9. A bikini style undergarmentcomprising: a bikini style body portion to worn about the trunkpredominantly below the waist of the wearer; said body portion having anelastic material defining its waistband; a pocket attached to said bodyportion, said pocket comprising: a front panel as its front boundary;and said body portion as its back boundary. wherein said front panel isattached to said body portion along two sides of said front panel andalong the bottom of said front panel, and wherein said front panel isattached to the front of said body portion, said front panel sidesextending upwards adjacent to the waistband of said body portion; and apocket sealing portion, said pocket sealing portion adapted to seal thetop of said pocket.
 10. The undergarment of claim 9 wherein said pocketis adapted to snugly hold a credit card sized item, and wherein saidinner pocket has an interior dimension of approximately 3.5 inches by2.25 inches.
 11. (canceled)
 12. An undergarment comprising: a bodyportion to worn about the trunk predominantly below the waist of thewearer; said body portion having an elastic material defining itswaistband; a removable pocket attached to said body portion, saidremovable pocket attached to the front of said body portion, the upperboundary of said removable pocket portion adjacent to and predominantlyparallel to the waistband of said body portion when attached; and anattachment portion, said attachment portion adapted to attach saidremovable pocket to said body portion.
 13. The undergarment of claim 12wherein said removable pocket comprises: a first main pocket; and asecond pocket.
 14. The undergarment of claim 13 wherein said first mainpocket is sized to snugly hold a passport, wherein said first mainpocket has a horizontal interior dimension of approximately 5 inches anda vertical interior dimension of approximately 3.5 inches.
 15. Theundergarment of claim 14 wherein said second pocket is sized to snuglyhold a credit card, and wherein said second pocket has an interiordimension of approximately 3.5 inches by 2.25 inches.
 16. Theundergarment of claim 15 wherein said second pocket is positioned withinsaid first main pocket.
 17. The undergarment of claim 12 wherein saidremovable pocket is sized to snugly hold a credit card, and wherein saidremovable pocket has an interior dimension of approximately 3.5 inchesby 2.25 inches.
 18. (canceled)